by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/cosmetology-cosmetologist-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general cosmetology/cosmetologist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Dodge City Community College the best value for a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist in Kansas. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist will find it at Fort Scott Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $20,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Independence Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $7,302. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $23,620. That is a strong return on a $7,302 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned it the #4 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $53,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hutchinson Community College earned it the #5 place for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $18,148. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $17,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.
Garden City Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, while out-of-state students pay about $4,320. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $18,724. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Washburn Institute Of Technology came in at #7 for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,880. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $22,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cowley County Community College landed the #8 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson County Community College placed #9 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Students borrow a median of $5,424 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $21,250 early in their careers. Set against $5,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Kansas Technical College landed the #10 spot for general cosmetology/cosmetologist value this year. Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Goodland. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Northwest Kansas Technical College generally make around $41,638.
Mitsu Sato Hair Academy placed #11 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Set in the city of Overland Park, Mitsu Sato Hair Academy is a small private for-profit institution. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $17,143.
Eric Fisher Academy ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Eric Fisher Academy is a small private for-profit institution. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,339 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $20,465. That is a strong return on a $9,339 median debt.
Hays Academy Of Hair Design Salina ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Salina, Hays Academy Of Hair Design Salina is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Hays Academy Of Hair Design Salina earn a median of $17,620 early in their careers. Set against $9,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kansas City Kansas Community College placed #14 among the best values for general cosmetology/cosmetologist. Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,996, compared with $6,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,235 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Kansas City Kansas Community College earn a median of $21,091 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,235 median debt.
Hays Academy Of Hair Design Hays ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the town of Hays, Hays Academy Of Hair Design Hays is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,833 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Hays Academy Of Hair Design Hays generally make around $17,620. That is a strong return on a $9,833 median debt.
Paul Mitchell The School Wichita ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Paul Mitchell The School Wichita is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. Typical student debt for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates is $12,583. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Paul Mitchell The School Wichita generally make around $17,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park earned the #17 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Paul Mitchell The School Overland Park is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Overland Park. Students borrow a median of $13,341 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $22,440.
Z Hair Academy earned the #18 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Z Hair Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Overland Park. Students borrow a median of $15,333 to complete the general cosmetology/cosmetologist program here. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates of Z Hair Academy earn a median of $21,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Crave Beauty Academy earned the #19 position for value in general cosmetology/cosmetologist this year. Crave Beauty Academy is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $10,667 in student loans. Early-career general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates make about $21,067. Set against $10,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bellus Academy ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general cosmetology/cosmetologist schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Bellus Academy is a small private for-profit institution. General Cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates carry a median of $9,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree recipients from Bellus Academy generally make around $17,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.